Player Ratings: Brentford 1-0 Manchester City (Premier League)

Defeat for the newly-crowned Premier League champions as Manchester City were defeated 1-0 by Brentford on the final day.

A heavily rotated City side travelled to Brentford in their final Premier League game of the season. Despite the youthful look to the team, it was the away team who stamped their authority early on.

After being fed through by Nathan Ake, Cole Palmer travelled into the Brentford penalty area with the ball, forcing an early save from goalkeeper David Raya.

That was the best chance for Manchester City during the first 45 minutes, with the home side taking control of proceedings, despite City having the lions share of possession in the first half.

Starting in the same way the first half ended, it was the home side who started strong, with the Brentford faithful bemused following a decision that went against them, after the ball appeared to strike the hand of Rico Lewis in the penalty area.

Despite not particularly troubling Ederson, the hosts pushed and probed, putting the newly-crowned Premier League champions under the cosh.

A late goal came as the home side managed to find a breakthrough with six minutes to go, after the ball was knocked back into the path of Ethan Pinnock, who converted clinically, giving the West London side the lead.

The goal was the final action of the game, as Brentford completed a double over the Premier League champions.

With that being said, here’s how we rated the player performances from Sunday afternoon’s defeat against Brentford:

Player ratings:

Ederson – 6.5

Largely untroubled but reliable when called upon, it was a standard afternoon in the sunshine for Ederson. The Brazilian could do nothing about the Brentford winner.

Kyle Walker – 5

Not the finest afternoon for Walker, as his counterpart Yoane Wissa seemingly had the beating of the full-back every time.

Nathan Ake – 7

Returning back to the starting line-up, it was a warm return for Ake who shown a solid display against the Bees.

Aymeric Laporte – 7 (MOTM)

Likewise to Nathan Ake, it was also a solid outing for the Spaniard who didn’t put a foot wrong in defence, despite the Brentford goal.

Sergio Gomez – 4

It’s been a mixed first season for Sergio Gomez in England, but his final league appearance of the season won’t be one he looks back on too fondly, we suspect.

Rico Lewis – 6.5

Perhaps a tad fortunate not to concede a penalty, but it was another impressive showing from the youngster, further displaying his versatility in this side.

Kalvin Phillips – 6

After announcing his plans to stay for the five years of his contract, Phillips was granted a start against Brentford. It was a relatively tame display, with the Englishman not really too involved.

Cole Palmer – 7

Another youngster given a chance, Palmer looked comfortable on the ball and almost scored the equaliser for the Blues, with three successive efforts on goal blocked.

Riyad Mahrez – 6

The most experienced forward was largely ineffective this afternoon.

Julian Alvarez – 6.5

The trademark pressing we associate with Alvarez was in full effective, but the striker couldn’t find a goal. A header late in the first half was the Argentine’s best effort of the afternoon.

Phil Foden – 7

Birthday boy and five-time Premier League winner, the 23-year-old looked sharp on the ball, despite not creating any real chances of note.

Substitutes:

Shea Charles – 6

Charles was handed his senior and Premier League debut after replacing Nathan Ake after the hour mark.